January 2016: What's In a Name?

Let’s be honest: A perfume is not only a scent. It's also a name, and that name starts telling us the story that will continue once we spray the bottle and smell the scent. Sometimes the name tells us a lot about the story we're about to enjoy. Sometimes it sets the tone. Sometimes it just creates mystery—and sometime it makes us say, "wait,  what? "

In this collection, one perfume has a name that tells you almost exactly what you’re about to smell, despite not telling you a single note. One has a name that will pique your curiosity and suddenly make perfect sense once the scent meets your nose. And one has a name that shows what happens when something is lost in the translation from French to English—but the result is so lovely that it captures your heart and makes you giggle nonetheless.

So what’s in a name? As it turns out, quite a lot.

Winter by Dasein. You have an idea of what you'll smell, right? If you're thinking a forest full of spruce and pine, you're right—but the introduction of black cardamom and lavender turns this forest into the loveliest surprise in the drydown. This is nose-glued-to-wrist material. Read more... 

The Dark Heart of Old Havana by 4160 Tuesdays. Do you have an idea of what this might smell like? An idea, perhaps, but even if you haven't been to the Cuban city, you'll feel a spark of recognition when you smell Sarah McCartney's creation. Rich, dark, infused with tobacco and rum and juicy citrus fruits—of course this is what Havana must smell like. Read more... 

Poopoo Pidoo by Ego Facto. Hold your giggles—there's a perfect explanation! Remember Betty Boop and her flirty " Boop oop a doop!"? This is how the French hear it, and our talented perfumer, Pierre Aulas, is French. Cute, right? But if something is lost in the verbal translation, nothing is lost in the olfactory translation. This little ditty has captured the hearts of many, many perfume lovers for its innovative use of a rice steam note, and we are so smitten. Read more... 

We hope you love this month's collection as much as we do. And we hope it inspires you to think about all the ways in which a perfume's name sets the stage and affects your opinions before you even smell the scent. Happy New Year!